Hibiscus 'Valentine's Crush'

Hibiscus 'Valentine's Crush': Passionate Colour for the Summer Border

Bold and romantic, Hibiscus 'Valentine's Crush' sets the garden ablaze with brilliant cherry-red blooms that radiate warmth and drama. Each flower, measuring up to 20 cm across, opens with slightly overlapping petals and a velvety red eye, creating a saturated display from midsummer into early fall. Held on strong, upright stems above rich green foliage, this mid-sized hibiscus delivers structure, colour, and an irresistible late-season flourish—perfect for garden lovers with a flair for the dramatic.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 120–150 cm
• Spread: 90–120 cm, with an upright, bushy habit
• Flower Colour: Cherry red with a dark red eye
• Flowering Period: Midsummer to early fall
• Foliage: Dark green, heart-shaped leaves with a clean, dense habit
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, rich, well-drained soil; benefits from regular watering

Uses and Benefits: Hibiscus 'Valentine's Crush' makes a dramatic statement in sunny borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator plantings. Its upright form and vivid bloom colour allow it to shine both as a specimen and in mixed plantings. Long-lasting flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, while its tidy habit and reliable performance make it ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, high-impact perennials. Use it as a seasonal focal point or to transition the garden into late summer with a blaze of passionate colour.

Companion Plants: Combine Hibiscus 'Valentine's Crush' with Panicum 'Red October', whose shifting foliage tones mirror the hibiscus’s intensity. Introduce Echinacea 'Salsa Red' to echo its fiery palette and extend bloom season. Finish with Perovskia 'Blue Jean Baby' to cool and contrast the composition with lavender-blue mist and soft texture.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with fertile, consistently moist soil. Water deeply during dry periods, especially in the heat of summer. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring before new growth appears. Mulch annually to conserve moisture and insulate the root zone. Like all hardy hibiscus, it may emerge slowly in spring—give it time to return.

History: Hibiscus 'Valentine's Crush' is a Walters Gardens introduction for Proven Winners®, bred as a bold evolution of the Summerific® series. It combines the upright habit and strong stems of 'Cranberry Crush' with even more intense colour saturation and improved flower coverage, offering garden drama in a refined form.

Final Thoughts: Fiery, romantic, and unapologetically bold, Hibiscus 'Valentine's Crush' is summer’s love letter to the garden. Whether in bloom or in bud, it adds heat and heart to every sunny space it graces.